The preparation of high photocatalytic activity nano-spindly Ag-BiVO4 and photoinduced carriers transfer properties.

A series of nano-spindly BiVO 4 and Ag-BiVO 4 were synthesized by a simple solvothermal method. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and high resolution electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis indicated that the chemical state of the Ag particles was metallic Ag. Their photocatalytic activities were evaluated by the decolorization of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation ( λ > 420 nm). The research of photoinduced charge properties of samples studied by surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS) and electric field-induced surface photovoltage spectroscopy (FISPS) measurement system and the results indicated that the existence of Ag attained the enhancement of photoinduced charge carriers’ separation. This was thought to be responsible for the higher efficient photocatalytic activity of Ag-BiVO 4 in the degradation of RhB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]